*The King's Speech, The Tourist and Somewhere (Spoilers)

The King's Speech

Haven't had time to post my reaction to The King's Speech, but needless to say I loved the movie.   There is something about historically based period dramas that always leave me with a satisfied feeling and this movie was no exception.  I've been a Colin Firth fan for some time and loved a Single Man, but Mr. Firth outdid himself in this role and it's time he get some recognition.

He had a tough going though to keep up with his co-stars, who were equally good, especially the brilliant performance by Geoffrey Rush as the King's speech therapist.   The quirky Helena Bonham Carter's performances never disappoint and this movie was no exception.  It was a gem of a movie and come Oscar time I would not like to be in the shoes of the voters having to choose between Christian Bale and Geoffrey Rush for best supporting actor.   Mr. Rush has been recognized before for his talent, but that is no excuse not to award him again for this fine performance.

Having said that,  I was so glad to see Bale win the Golden Globe.   He has had so many fine performances and it is time to recognize his work.   Although the King's Speech made me feel good and appealed to my esthetic sense, The Fighter made me uncomfortable and angry and then I was cheering like an idiot in the fight scene at the end....so it really engaged me, physically as well as emotionally.  It  will be interesting to see what others thought as well.

The Tourist

After Ricky Gervais and the Golden Globes, I decided to see the movie no one else saw just because I wanted to see something that was not necessarily Oscar worthy but perhaps entertaining.  I also went for the triple visual treat of Venice, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie (and the fashions she wore).   No matter what you think of any of the three, you have to admit they are all quite pleasant, if not a downright lovely trio to look at.  Besides the fact that it was playing at the right time (10:35 p.m. and I'd just dropped D to visit with one of her friends after an early dinner), and having consumed a couple of glasses of wine, it was nice not to have to think too hard and just sit back and enjoy the scenery and some equally lovely and familiar faces that had small parts in The Tourist (Timothy Dalton, Raul Bova) and in a larger part, the talented Steven Berkoff.  The story was not new and I guessed right away that Depp was the mysterious fellow everyone sought.  

For visual (first time I noticed Johnny Depp has a nice nose), Venice and lightness, as I told the other couple that was in the theater when I first arrived, "I was curious to see the movie that "no one saw."   The theater did fill up after that, so perhaps Ricky Gervais actually gave it a plug with his notice.   

Somewhere 

I was intrigued to see Somewhere because it was a Sofia Coppola film and I knew something about the origins of the story,  but I found myself getting a little impatient at the opening of the scene with the protagonist doing lap after lap after lap after lap .....in his car somewhere in the So. California desert.  That "one too many" laps became a little bit of an analogy for the whole film.  Perhaps it was meant to?

As usual for her movies, it was beautifully filmed and the story very relevant, as I recognized quite a few people it could fit.  But something essential was missing...  Of course it is the kind of movie Sofia Coppola does, so I shouldn't have been surprised.

One of the best things about her first effort,  Lost In Translation,  was her choice of  Bill Murray in the role of the central character, who basically ad libbed his way to giving the movie a heart.   Not having that central, moving force in this movie, it became a sweet, but somewhat boring story of another Hollywood star  going through the motions of a life, a little lost and, with the exception of his daughter, without much meaning.  Although Stephen Dorff gave it his all,  he lacked  the charisma to make you care about the central character's plight and though he was a polite fellow to mostly everyone he met, he couldn't make me care much about Johnny.

A great tour through the historically and accurately portrayed Chateau Marmont and a nice performance by his young co-star, Elle Fanning,  couldn't save the movie from the too slow pacing.  Perhaps a little more dialogue might have helped, but it is not Coppola's style.  She takes her own good time telling her story and don't you dare get bored!  It's not her fault if you can't pick out the subtleties and secrets of what she is laying before you.

Though critically received by some, I'm afraid too much of the audience that went to see this movie came out thinking.....so what's new?   We know these characters exist.  We see them every day.  We know some of them have vapid lives, too much money and too much free time.  We also know that the false adulation of the pubic and the hanger on's that ride a celeb's coattails because it becomes their own claim to fame,  give people like Johnny a false sense of importance....too many girls, too much sex, too many parties...until nothing means anything.  Too much of a good thing simply becomes "not enough" of a "real" thing.  Becoming "jaded"  is a hazard of the business.

I felt I was watching a lovingly filmed, but "by the numbers" documentary on the hazards of fame.  It was nicely done, but didn't show me anything I didn't already know and the "one too many" laps in the beginning became a little bit of the drumbeat of the movie.   You don't have to beat the audience  over the head to set the mood or prepare the message your are going to eventually show them.  Yes, life can be boring and meaningless....but we do have  choices....and perhaps that's what the central character made at the end.  We just didn't have much of a clue what his time with his daughter had taught him or what he had decided to do..... unless you did....and didn't care one way or the other anyway.

Coppola has talent and I'm sure Somewhere will go down as an insider treatise on fame, but entertainment for the masses it's not.  Perhaps that's not a bad thing.


Songs out of tune, the words always a little wrong...Canzoni Stonate


*Though I'd posted this already.

Congratulations to Egypt

My congratulations to the people and especially the youth of Egypt,  for their courage and perseverance in the fight to gain the freedom and the rights that all of us,  as human beings,  deserve.  My admiration goes out to them for doing it in a peaceful manner, which should serve as an example for oppressed peoples .... that change can be brought about by peaceful means when the desire is great and the available technology is used.

Kudos to social media and the Anderson Coopers of the world,  the former, who give a people a way to organize and stay aware of what is going on in their own country and the rest of the world despite repressive measures to silence  them...and the latter, who observe, recognize and help translate the passion being witnessed first hand to others.

Also congratulations to the educated young people of Egypt and around the world who are tired of old men disposing of them so carelessly while they sit back in their clubs and palaces and try to maintain their power on the bent backs of their people, all the while stuffing their pockets with ill gotten gains.

My only hope is that the unity we have witnessed between the religions and the differing groups of people involved in this revolution will continue and that the road that Egypt still has to travel to real freedom in democracy will be steered by these same  educated and visionary voices that will not settle trading one master for another,  in the forms of a theocracy that will impose stringent religious standards on her people, or a military regime that will be no better than what they had before.

The Egyptians deserve to chose their own destiny as a free people and join the other free nations of the world in enjoying the fruits of their own personal labors and self determination in their every day lives.

I also hope this is the beginning of understanding in my own country that we can't keep making deals with dictators who oppress their people just because they are the ones protecting American interests.  This way of doing business has only spawned leftist leaders or religious zealots where perhaps some evenhandedness might have encouraged moderates of all types to follow a more free and open society for their peoples.

As we saw from the fall of the the Berlin wall and the old Soviet order,  the desire for a better life and to be able to partake in the rewards a free and modern culture can offer a society in the form of freedom of expression in the arts and sciences,  as an adjutant to the economic well being of the individual to the best of his ability, cannot be suppressed for long with the proliferation of communications across the open borders of the electronic revolution.

Education is the enemy of those who would rule by force.   It is the thing that will bring down the autocrats of the world, whether they come in the guise of political or religious saviors,  and it is the thing that we must encourage in our own people as well as all the peoples around the globe.

There will be lots of work ahead for the Egyptians to be able to realize their thirst for a more democratic Egypt.  The idealistic young people need to keep up the pressure and not let the old prejudices of their elders or the narrowness of religious leaders try to dictate or impose their "we know best" attitudes.  They need to demand their place at the table of any future for Egypt...young men AND women alike, and that is the one thing that our own Government should push to insure....that those who started this historic moment get a say in the future of their country.

In my view, the more free and economically viable societies are the ones who will lead to eventual peace in the Middle East and,  if not love for some of their neighbors, at least respect for each others rights to share the land, so that the old wars and prejudices can be put aside and understanding, tolerance, economic advancement,  human rights, peace and freedom,  not war and the propaganda, will be the drumbeat that we hear crossing the borders of these ancient and proud civilizations.

It is a grand day for Egyptians and I only hope  that their victory today leads to a brighter tomorrow for Egypt, the Middle East and,  by extension, the United States and the rest of the free world.

It will be a big job, requiring a lot of soul searching and thoughtful self examination,  for all parties to come together for the betterment of her people,  but the human spirit and the desire for freedom have shown us that perhaps the Egyptians are up to the task.

Good luck and good wishes from our country to yours!

Zoni with a Z

Still at the Movies - Blue Valentine and tonight The King's Speech

Blue Valentine (with spoilers)

I'm still at the movies and trying to fit in a few more before the Golden Globes on Sunday.  Last night D and I took in Blue Valentine (she is a big Ryan Gosling fan) and I have to tell you that as depressing as parts of the story was, the acting was superb.

The story centers around a couple and it cross cuts back and forth between when they meet and the early part of their courtship to their lives together a few years and one child later.  It is sad and loud and in some parts sexy, but overall about how early passion cannot make up for lasting (educational and spiritual) compatibility of the two people in a relationship.

The cinematography was, and was meant to be, gritty... almost a little like a home made movie documenting the lives of two playful people who had two strikes against them right from the start.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams WERE the two people, their performances were that real and their emotions that raw.   This is the kind of movie you either love or hate...but it left you thinking how sad and true to life  the way some relationships  are destined to go and the pain involved (and the bravery too) in walking out of them when there is nothing left.



In a couple of hours I will be off to see The King's Speech and am looking forward to the big treat I know this movie will be.

Zoni

Table for One - Post written 11-30-10

Last night I was very rudely reawakened to the fact that getting a table for one at any decent Los Angeles eatery is sometimes one of the most difficult things to score.   My daughter was in town for Thanksgiving and I dropped her off to meet some friends for dinner in Los Feliz.    They had invited me to join them, but I had other plans and, after dropping her off,  headed for West Hollywood to seek a quiet dinner and go over some writing I've been working on.

I didn't want to go too far because she was going to take a taxi to meet me if they finished before me, so I called a very popular Italian osteria on Highland for a reservation.  I'd been there thrice before and knew it was not an easy one to get.   It was almost 9:00 p.m. on a Monday and I thought my chances might be good though.   The hostess told me they could seat me at 9:15 and smiling at my good luck, I headed over there.

Not surprisingly, the restaurant was very crowded and the hostess said they were still waiting for my table to clear so I headed for the bar and a glass of wine while I was waiting.

The bar was crowded too so I turned around and set my glass on one of two great French marble top tables that serve as standing only extensions of the bar.  As I stood sipping my wine, I noticed that the large round table in front of me was occupied by a husband and wife who have a hit weekend night TV drama and one or two of their ensemble fellow actors and their spouses.  I smiled to myself because this same nice looking couple had said hello to me as they passed my table leaving another restaurant in Beverly Hills earlier in the year.  You know, your eyes casually meet and you smile at each other, perhaps recognizing something in the other that is like you...

Anyway,  I continued to wait and take some time out to relax and day dream a little. Meanwhile they were seating larger parties and parties of two and three.  Of course I understand that larger parties are more lucrative for restuarants,  so one of the maitre d's comes over and apologizes and tells me that they have lots of room at the dining bar (where they usually direct people without reservations).    I tell him I prefer to wait for the table, as I wanted to kick back and relax.  The hostess had told me they had one for me.

Well, to make a long story short, half an hour and another glass of wine later, I was still waiting for a table when the maitre'd came over and asked me how I was doing.   "I was doing a lot better when I got here!"  I smiled.    I noticed they were cleaning up a small  table on the bar side of the room, and I looked at him and he looked at me and I know he knew what I was thinking.  Five minutes later, they showed me to the table.

By that time, I knew I was the topic of conversation at the star studded round table.  I had avoided looking their way, but I think they were sympathetic and maybe a little curious.

I don't feel bad dining alone.  Sometimes it is a choice because I enjoy discreet (in this town) people watching, hoping for ideas but also because I do some of my best writing with a good glass of wine and great food in a congenial atmosphere.  I'm really very content and am secure enough to know that I am also a topic of interest and don't mind it,  but I have to say that last night I earned some points in someone's book because I, for some reason, had to stiffen my spine considerably in facing the upscale crowd at this popular foodie restaurant.  

The attractive actor-director husband kept looking my way.  I tried very hard not to look back after the first eye contact and proceeded to order my favorite salad (noting to the waiter that they had changed it somewhat from my previous visits) and followed that with the short rib over polenta with horseradish gremolata entree and lots of crusty fried bread and butter.

I had just pulled out my small pad and was making some notes when I got a text from my daughter asking me to join them for dessert.    I playfully showed it to the third very solicitous male who came to my table to see how I was doing.  I have a feeling they thought I might be a food critic since I had pointed out the difference in the salad (regular bacon that used to be pancetta and soft boiled egg when it used to be a quail egg).   The grapefruit sections were missing too.

Perversely,  after showing him the text message I asked him if I should join my daughter or have her join me as planned?   Of course,  I was going to join her....and took a small satisfaction in telling him.  The apologies for the wait and the fact they knew I was a little annoyed, even though I was smiling,  kept coming.

Meanwhile, from my periphreal vision, I noted the director  (putting on his fedora) looked my way again as they were getting ready to leave.  I wondered if he too got story ideas from observing people (even at restaurants) and wondered whether I might see a sympathetic story arc on the plight of females seeking "tables for one" in one of his shows.

By the time I asked for my bill, the crowd was thinning.  I signed the check then made a point of going to the bar and tipping the waiter cash for the two glasses of wine they had carried over to my tab.  He smiled at me gratefully and I turned around and straightened to my full height,  making as graceful an exit as I could manage.

Once at another popular restaurant a good looking, young bartender I'd made friends with came over and sat down at my table during his break.   He wanted to know what the hell a woman like me was doing dining alone and without a man paying my bills?   "A woman like me likes to pay her own way."  I told him.  But  if I ever meet that one special fellow that is "worth it" again,  then perhaps I'll let him pay.

Until then and for the writing ideas and excitement... I'll keep being a "table for one" kind of gal when the mood strikes me.  As for this particular restaurant, I'll be back.   I like the food too much.   Hopefully they'll remember me.  

Songs out of tune, the words always a little wrong...Canzoni Stonate

Note from the author:

There are some very well known restaurants that started out like this, where I now not only get a table,  even when they are busy, but a kiss on the hand or a hug from one of the principals.  Persistence pays off.